Alfred University students shine in 2025 Lunar New Year performances in Buffalo
Alfred University students last month delivered a series of outstanding and well-received performances during the 2025 Lunar New Year celebrations in Buffalo, NY that showcased their talents in the dragon dance, the guzheng (a Chinese musical instrument), and other aspects of Chinese culture.
Their performances captivated audiences and reinforced Alfred University's reputation for cultural diversity and excellence in Chinese language and cultural education.
The students’ first set of performances took place at Lewiston-Porter Central School District, where Alfred University’s Guzheng Ensemble and the Dragon Dance Team collaborated with local high school students to present an engaging cultural demonstration of lunar new year festivities. The AU Guzheng Ensemble—featuring Laura Bishop, Max Rasilla, and Malcolm Condon, under the direction of Clinical Associate Professor Daisy Wu—performed the Chinese folk song "Jasmine Flower" and the Chinese Kung Fu movie piece "The Swordsman". They were joined by Master Guifang Liu, founder and head coach of the Tai Chi Society of Western New York, who performed the Tai Chi Sword alongside the ensemble, adding an elegant martial arts element to the program.
The Dragon Dance team—led by Ben Buess, Lily Janik, Laura Bishop, Max Rasilla, and Malcolm Condon—delivered a spectacular performance with five Lewiston-Porter high school students. Prior to the performance, the team conducted a dragon dance workshop for the Lewiston-Porter high school students, teaching them the fundamentals of this traditional Chinese art. The collaborative performance ignited tremendous excitement and applause from the audience, making it one of the most thrilling moments of the event.
Later that evening, the Alfred University Guzheng Ensemble took the stage at the Buffalo Albright Knox Art Gallery Museum as part of their Lunar New Year celebrations hosted by the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, demonstrating its appreciation for the cultural richness presented in the performances.
Beyond the performances, Alfred University students actively engaged in outreach efforts during their visit. Over lunch, they introduced Alfred University to the local high school students, distributed promotional materials, gifts, and T-shirts, and shared insights about the university’s Chinese Language and Culture minor, music programs, and other diverse cultural offerings. Many high school students expressed a newfound interest in Alfred University, recognizing it as a unique institution that integrates Chinese language, music, and cultural traditions into its curriculum—something not commonly found in other universities.
The event received high praise from the organizers. Ms. Jun Wang-Tiedeman, Board Chair of the Buffalo-Niagara Chapter of the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association, described our performances as “an absolute highlight” and praised our students for “bringing the beauty and richness of Chinese culture to the Buffalo community.” Similarly, Mr. Paul Casseri, Superintendent of the Lewiston-Porter Central School District, commended our students’ professionalism and the educational value of their interactions with the high school students.
“It was truly heartwarming to see these students, who mostly are minoring in Chinese Language and Culture, apply their skills and knowledge in a real-world setting, demonstrating how language and culture learning can transcend the classroom and connect people in meaningful ways. This performance tour was a cultural exchange and an opportunity to inspire future students.” said Professor Daisy Wu, “Seeing their hard work, dedication, and continuous growth is the most rewarding part of my job. I could not be prouder of each and every one of them!”
The AU Dragon Dance Team, Ben Buess, Lily Janik, Laura Bishop, Max Rasilla, and Malcolm Condon, performing with five Lewiston-Porter high school students.